Air return bulkhead with filter

Abstract

An air return bulkhead having a filter for filtering dust, dirt and debris out of an airflow prior to its entry into an evaporator or heat exchanger. The apparatus is particularly designed for use within a climate-controlled space such as a trailer or truck interior. Air pulled into the refrigeration system first enters the air return bulkhead where particles and debris are filtered. The air then travels through the refrigeration system and back into the climate-controlled space.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A mobile refrigeration unit comprising: 
       a container having a plurality of walls defining a climate-controlled space;  
       a refrigeration system coupled to the container and including an air inlet;  
       an air return bulkhead coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls and defining an air flow path in fluid communication with the air inlet; and  
       a filter disposed in the air flow path, wherein air from the climate-controlled space enters the bulkhead and flows through the filter into the air inlet;  
       wherein the bulkhead includes a lower portion and an upper portion movable relative to the lower portion for accessing the filter.  
     
     
       2. The mobile refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bracket coupled to one of the plurality of walls, said bracket supporting the filter within the bulkhead. 
     
     
       3. The mobile refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is removable from the bulkhead by pivoting the upper portion relative to the lower portion. 
     
     
       4. The mobile refrigeration unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger housing that protrudes a distance from the vehicle wall into the climate-controlled space, and wherein the bulkhead includes an upper flap that abuts the heat exchanger housing. 
     
     
       5. The mobile refrigeration unit of  claim 4 , wherein the upper flap is movable relative to the rest of the bulkhead. 
     
     
       6. The mobile refrigeration unit of  claim 4 , wherein the upper flap includes a plurality of stepped portions. 
     
     
       7. An air return bulkhead adapted to be mounted to a wall in a climate-controlled space, the bulkhead comprising: 
       a bulkhead defining an air flow path; and  
       a filter disposed in the air flow path;  
       wherein air from the climate-controlled space can enter the bulkhead and flow through the filter, and wherein the bulkhead includes a lower portion and an upper portion movable relative to the lower portion to access the filter.  
     
     
       8. The air return bulkhead of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one bracket adapted to be coupled to the wall, said bracket supporting the filter within the bulkhead. 
     
     
       9. The air return bulkhead of  claim 7 , wherein the filter is removable from the bulkhead by pivoting the upper portion relative to the lower portion. 
     
     
       10. The air return bulkhead of  claim 10 , further comprising a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger housing that protrudes a distance from the wall, and wherein the bulkhead includes an upper flap that abuts the heat exchanger housing. 
     
     
       11. The air return bulkhead of  claim 10 , wherein the upper flap is movable relative to the rest of the bulkhead. 
     
     
       12. The air return bulkhead of  claim 10 , wherein the upper flap includes a plurality of stepped portions. 
     
     
       13. A method of treating air in a climate-controlled space defined by a plurality of walls and including a heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of: 
       providing an air return bulkhead having an air inlet in fluid communication with the climate-controlled space, and a filter in fluid communication with the air inlet;  
       inducing an air flow from the climate-controlled space into the air inlet;  
       passing the air flow through the filter;  
       passing the air flow through the heat exchanger;  
       returning the air to the climate-controlled space; and  
       removing the filter and replacing the filter;  
       wherein the removing step includes moving an upper portion of the bulkhead to access the filter.  
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the moving step includes maintaining the lower portion of the bulkhead substantially fixed to the wall.